Josephine County sheriff shuts detective division

Published: May 25, 2012, 7:54 AM

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) -- The Josephine County sheriff's Office has started shutting down departments after voters turned down a $12 million a year levy to make up for the demise of a federal subsidy for timber counties.

First to go Friday were major crimes detectives and the records department. Next week road patrols will be cut to one shift a day, five days a week. Later next month about 60 jail inmates will be released.

Meanwhile, applications for permits to carry concealed handguns have tripled in May, compared to the same month last year.

Among them was Josephine County Commissioner Don Reedy. He told the Grants Pass Daily Courier (http://bit.ly/MO2U5K ) he is a little concerned about his safety the failure of the levy to fund the sheriff's office.